Most folks are too wussy to do this…

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”

I like a little H.P. Lovecraft in the morning. Especially when he so neatly sums up why so many people are stuck.

Yes, doing things can be scary but it gets easier to do as you build the habit.

Got me thinking about something people are afraid of:

Putting themselves out there.

Trying something new.

Like, I get questions all the time from people who desperately need to bring in more customers. (Which is itself bad, because people can smell desperation — but that’s a topic for another day)

They don’t know what to do. They can’t afford paid advertising. But they don’t like my answer.

Why?

Because my answer involves pulling on your big girl pants and doing something about it — something really simple and really easy, like writing to the editor of your local newspaper or magazine and offering them a column.

But most people are too wussy to do it.

They’re scared of getting rejected.

Scared of being laughed at.

Scared people will think they’re crap writers.

Just generally scared of sticking their heads above the parapet.

But you know what? The worst that could happen is they say “no”. Or ignore you entirely.

If you do it, though — you’ll get your name out there. People will see you in print, and that gives you authority. It’ll build trust. And, you should also see more sales (which is what this is all about).

Yeah, it’s scary.

And no, there are no guarantees it’ll work for you.

But really — what do you have to lose? Like my Inner Circle subscriber, Jane, who followed my advice from the December issue to the letter:

“Thanks Vicky! Just to say that I sent a “shock and awe”package to the editor of Cotswold Life, our local glossy, and today I “screwed my courage to the sticking place” and rang to follow it up. They asked me to write a piece for their May issue! So I am delighted!

I would not have

a. Got around to it

b. Done it well enough

c. Followed it up without your encouragement, so thank you! Jx”

Hey, no problemo. It’s what I’m here for and you got a result, so I’m happy.

This stuff gets easier the more you do it, too. Build the habit of contacting people often, and grow a skin thick enough so any rejections just bounce off.

If you make a habit of doing the stuff you need to do, it becomes second nature. Which is what February’s issue of the newsletter is all about.

Vicky Fraser is a copywriter, author, and entrepreneur. She really did run away with the circus… but when she’s not swinging from a trapeze, she’s showing other copywriters and small business owners how to work with better clients, make more money, and stop missing bathtimes, first words, and dinners with angry partners. In fact, she wrote the book on it. Get your copy here.

PS “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. Pahahaha, just kidding. We should also fear madmen with access to nuclear buttons, chainsaw-weilding maniacs, and the possibility of running out of tea…

I have read dozens of motivational books over the years but this one is different. It just tells you what works and what doesn't, bits of it made me smile and other bits made me laugh out loud. I never write reviews but this book was worth the effort:)